2i8 BREEDS OF POLO PONIES. [Chap. VIII. 



IMPORTATION OF PONIES. 



As a last word of advice on the subject of bringing 

 ponies of any breed into England, I can safely say that 

 such a speculation can never pay, unless the shipment 

 consists of the best-trained ponies which the country of 

 exportation can produce. The risks and expenses of 

 travelling and of keep, while raw ponies are being 

 acclimatised and trained, would swallow up all the 

 profits. Only a small proportion of raw imported 

 ponies could possibly turn out good for polo ; and only 

 well-trained, capable ponies fetch a remunerative price 

 in this country. I have seen batches of green ponies 

 brought from India, Australia, the Argentine Republic 

 and America ; but I have never heard of such a con- 

 signment doing more than pay very moderate interest 

 on outlay. In most instances, the result was a con- 

 siderable loss. 



For polo in England, English ponies are admittedly 

 the best in the world. Therefore, to compete with 

 them, only the best tried ponies should be brought 

 from other countries. 



